Museveni's anger at court ruling

Museveni said a referendum would be held to set out judicial powers

Uganda's leader has angrily condemned a court ruling, which nullified a 2000 referendum, in which a return to multi-party politics was rejected.

The constitutional court decision was "totally unacceptable" Yoweri Museveni said in a live television broadcast.

Under Uganda's Movement system, parties are allowed to exist, but they are not allowed to contest elections.

Mr Museveni said that the judgement meant that all government acts since 2000 were null and void.

'Absurd'

Presidential advisor John Nagenda denied that Mr Museveni's comments interfered with the independence of the judiciary.

He told the BBC's Network Africa programme that Mr Museveni would appeal to the Supreme Court.

"It is absurd and it is not acceptable. What this means in effect is that this court has usurped the power of the people," Mr Museveni said.

He said that a referendum would be held on constitutional amendments to clarify the separation of powers, to ensure that such "confusion" was never repeated.

He also repeated that the government would hold a new referendum, asking Ugandans whether they wanted a return to multi-party politics.